Stepping Out

“Visiting Dad” is among seven one-act plays scheduled to be performed this week at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills.

The Foothill College Theatre Conservatory is slated to present “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow” – seven short plays about life and death – Thursday through Sunday in Los Altos Hills.

The student-directed plays are part of Foothill’s one-act play festival. It’s a showcase for those enrolled in Foothill’s Theatre Conservatory, an intensive theater-training program for serious students of college-age and older.

“The one-act festival is a tradition at Foothill College,” said Janis Bergmann, Foothill theatre arts instructor. “It’s the perfect vehicle for the theater student who is learning the rigors and demands of producing for an audience. Each of the show’s acts provides challenging, well-rounded roles for student-actors, as well as complete, well-structured plays for student-directors.”

Jacob Marker of Cupertino, Pratiksha Shah of Sunnyvale, Michael Weiland, Julia Rotakhina and Erin Southard of San Jose, Taylor Sanders of San Mateo and Jeremy Griffith of Fremont direct the vignettes. Cast members include Jytte Galsgaard of Los Altos and Mountain View residents Chase Kinsey and Nicholas Schmittzeh.

The play lineup:

• “Visiting Dad.” Before Laura can accept Mike’s proposal, they must dig deep – approximately 6 feet – to get Dad’s blessing. Written by Judith Fein.

• “St. Francis Preaches to the Birds.” A humble priest offers two vultures food for thought, but his wisdom can be difficult to digest. Written by David Ives.

• “Dissonance.” On an emotional quest to find closure with her mother’s passing, Tricia encounters her mother’s long lost pianist protégé, Fitz. Together they search to make peace with their losses and find harmony in their existence. Written by Craig Pospisil.

• “The Devil is in the Details.” Larry and Sheila are a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde who discover – the hard way – that details matter. Written by Jill Elaine Hughes.

• “The Disruptive, Discursive Delusion of Donald.” Two peculiar strangers hold the power to change Donald’s life forever, depending on the color of his socks. Written by Michael Roderick.

• “Asteroid Belt.” It’s midnight, pouring rain and their daughter isn’t home yet, so Jay and Sue cope with the fateful moments before Carly returns – or not. Written by Lauren Feldmen.

• “The Mysteries of the Castle of the Monk of Falconara.” Three prominent novelists are summoned to an eerie castle in the Italian countryside on a stormy night. They soon discover that their mysterious hostess harbors a deadly secret that makes their blood run cold. Written by James Armstrong.